I love YOU baby!

I love all my girls!

Each for their own special reasons.

But Lacey has been stealing the spotlight lately and I feel the need to pause and ponder.

All my girls are as full of energy as any other typical kiddo but when we are in public shyness has been the prevailing mood. And along comes Lacey!  Her language really burst at 2 1/2 and I don't think she has slowed down since.  I love how she arranges her sentences....My do it my own self....

Today we went and did some after-Christmas shopping and I'm guessing Lacey was still in the mood...as she sat in the shopping cart she wished passing shoppers, "Merry Christmas"...and when they wouldn't reply she would turn to me and ask, "Why they no say Merry Christmas to me?"  I tried to assure her that they must not have heard her as I smiled fondly at those big blue eyes and the little blonde curl that always finds its way to her forehead.

Then we went to the library and she played at the train table.  Molly joined her and there was another little boy that was already there.  As I watched, Lacey jumped right in and claimed an open train and began her venture around the table.  When she approached the little guy who was probably a year older than she was she introduced herself, "My name is Lacey..." and then she introduces her 6-year-old sister!..."and this is Molly."....The boy pretty much ignored her so she repeated it again a few minutes later....  As she continues with her train table circuits she doesn't miss a beat as she glances up and sees a woman carrying around her 4-month old baby and says, "I love your baby."...the woman smiled and said, "Thank you."....Really...what do you say???  Lacey had turned the corner already while the woman was still processing what had just taken place.

Oh Lacey...I ponder the adventures that you will be taking us on as you grow into your little personality. 

Thankfully, your heart is as big as your mouth!

*smooch*

The Christmas of Tiny Toys

7:00

That was the time that we talked about before the girls went to bed on Christmas Eve.  We even set up a clock in their bedroom so they would have a clear view of a digital clock to reference.  Taylor was worried.  Molly was worried.  Molly was so worried that she decided not to sleep in her top bunk because she couldn't see the clock from there, so she slept with Taylor on the bottom bunk, which I imagine was a little snug.

They woke me up at 7:01!



The girls were very excited for all of their gifts.  They showed me e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g...which at least slowed the process down a bit...."look mommy...momma, look!"

Slippers were a bit hit and so were the sleds. 

Then Morgan opened up one of her presents and announced, "This is for a boy!"....it seems I have not done my job in regards to gender specific toys...."Daddy, you would like to play with this"

However, after some intial dislike for it (when it raced uncontrolably right at her) she decided that she might like her toy, "I guess it can be for a girl too"....*exhale*

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Gene came over for brunch and the "Christmas of tiny toys" continued.  Lacey is clutching a barbie which will be played with in this.....

Barbie's Dream House....aka as the Little Ladies Dream House....

Lots of squeals and "oh my goshes"

Thanksfully, everyone in the house is 3+ now so all the tiny toys can stay (except for the ones that will inevitably end up in my vacuum cleaner!)

The next day we had more Christmas at Grandma Dar and Grandpa Ed's.  The girls were very excited about the presents under the tree!  (Check out Taylor's pig-tails!)  They were caught snooping!!!

But first we had to eat...and talk...and eat...and talk...and talk...and talk...and to the kids that was torture!!!

But finally!!!! the time came to open presents.  To continue on the tiny toy theme we added more Barbie toys to our growing collection.  Flairies...not fairys...no wings...they have flair! *ok...I've see the movie a few times...it's cute!

Taylor was very happy with her Elphie...

And Molly was happy with her Glenda!

Morgan and Lacey will have lots of fun in their new 'tiny' castle.

The kids had a lot of fun "re-decorating" Grandma's bay window scene...funny how the grandkids can always touch things that the 'kids' were never allowed to touch....

Sidebar:  the tree in the center was a decoration from MY grandparents house (my mom's mom and dad~grandma and grandpa Adler) 
Sidebar2:  MY mom's dad and CHRIS's mom's dad were both Christmas Eve babies.....weird, huh!  Grandpa Ed Adler would have been 96 this year...Happy Birthday to both the Great-Grandpas!

And another Christmas is over and done.  Time spent with family and friends is always well-spent.  Enjoyed all the Christmas cards and letters that we received this year.  Stopped on our way out of town and enjoyed the lights through the park which are always so pretty...the flamingo's pulling Santa's sleigh was cute!

The new year approaches, with resolutions to make and organizing to accomplish.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

LACEY....get out of that candy!



The Eve of Christmas

We received Christmas Eve snow!

So there was some throwing....

And some more throwing....

And some tunnel making...

And some snow eating....yuck!

Back inside we made some cookies for Santa.

It's a very serious job.

After the cookies were cooled we did some frosting....the cookies even got some on them too!

Then our Christmas Eve treat...make-your-own-sundaes!

Come on Santa...we're ready!!!!!



A little of this and little of that...

A little of this......

We took the girls to see Santa.  Lacey was jumping up and down she was so excited!  But despite all that excitement and because of a really long line....

this was close enough....

A little of that....

We went to a live nativity scene.  There was a 5 minute little re-inactment with shepards, angels, Joseph, Mary, doll and donkey.  Afterwards, we got up close and personal.

Almost looks like a glow around the manger...ok, there was a strategically placed spotlight...but it makes for a peaceful moment.

Five more days until Christmas..a little more to wait



Frosty

Over the hills of snow!.....we got this type of snow last night.  The kind of snow that sits on branches and makes everything look lovely!

But the temp was dropping, so we got outside while the getting was good.

Blowing and drifting made this part of our backyard up to Molly's waist.

Our attempt at a snowman.

We watched Frosty the night before but it still took me a minute to figure out why Lacey kept saying that we needed a hat AND and rabbit...cute kids!

I built it with Taylor and then when I put the hat on I said, "Happy Birthday!"...she giggled!

Guess it wasn't Christmas snow...soon enough...soon enough...



Timber!

Tree chopp'in time!

We tried a new tree farm for us this year.  And I felt like we cheated a little....generally the picking out of the tree involves walking, walking, and walking.  When we pulled up to this farm he asked what kind of tree we wanted;  I wanted a white pine this year.  Then he told us to drive through the farm to where they were located.  So we pulled up and started searching.

It didn't take us long to spot a very nice tree.  The girls dusted off the snow.

Then the girls supervised.

Excited girls waiting for the tree to come in the house!

First come the lights.

Then come the ornaments.  They dove in with both hands and I breathed deeply

Almost done....Lacey hugging the tree.

Last is the tree skirt...after another vacuuming session.

Where did the tree skirt go?

Ah, there it is!

The grand finale!

And then it fell down!  It wasn't pretty...broken ornaments, spilled water, and upset children.

So we stood it back up and cleaned up the mess and re-decorated a week later...'cause that's how busy our weeknights are around here.  Not sure what happened...either it wasn't in the stand tight enough...the ornaments were unevenly distributed, or the tree relaxed as it warmed and that caused it to tip...regardless..it now stands tall in the living room lighting the way to another fabulous Christmas!



I Peed it Myself!

Luvs...Pampers....Huggies.....name your brand....I've been buying them for over 8 1/2 years!

But the time has come....my last little lady is joining the ranks of potty-trained!

I enjoy nothing about the potty-training process...I screamed and cried as much as the girls did...(if not more!)...but I have learned a few lessons along the way and I guess it was worth it because the grand finale has been relatively smooth and lacking in drama.

I trained none of my girls 'early'.

And even though I hoped I might get through one (out of four) trained without extra loads of laundry it was not meant to be.  I have had no luck ever trying to potty-train one of my daughters in pull-ups...even training pants just seem to prolong the inevitable....they need to feel it running down their leg..(*sorry*)...so she put on some nice thick pants and socks and we went with the flow..(*again, sorry*)..and it really wasn't too bad..two little misshaps on the carpet where the pants and socks didn't soak up enough....about a week of wet clothes and Lacey has figured it out!

So in addition to my glee I have to tell you what Lacey says as she is waiting to _____ ***

"Wait-for-it"

"Wait-for-it"

"Wait-for-it"

LOL!

Mommy:  Morgan, that's a really nice picture.

I like your big blue circle.



Morgan:  Mommy, it's a potty!

Never a dull moment around here!